Jackson Twp. candidate says she's victim of dirty politics

After a primary election filled with dirty politics from the Jackson Township Board of Supervisors' chairman, Tom Houtz, I have had time to reflect on what seems to be a growing divide between township business and power of the leader.

This situation has escalated to the point of mean-spirited conversation and condescending personal remarks made to me. One of Houtz's strategies for a few years has been calling Pennsylvania State Police on a regular basis, complaining that I have committed a crime.

In March, I decided to run for Jackson Township supervisor to empower people to feel welcomed at meetings, improve communication and create a sense of community. After spending an enjoyable time campaigning throughout the township, I found myself the victim of rumors. Then an article on Election Day from an anonymous email account contained one side of a story. The News contacted me about the information that Houtz shared, however, there was little time for me to refute the claims and stop the ignorant rumor mill. Houtz wanted to make sure people did not know the real story. My belief is that the News erred in printing that article .

On March 19, Houtz filed a right to know request with Elco for an arbitrator's award in a personnel matter. Houtz gave the report to Troy Williams, who covers the supervisors meetings, to deliver to the newspaper. The arbitrator's report described the two unsatisfactory evaluations given to me from Edward Felty, whose contract was not renewed by Elco as the high school principal. The arbitrator, Alex Kashak, found that I did not take the unsatisfactory evaluations seriously, and therefore I was terminated. However, Houtz never divulged the information that I won a suit against the Elco School District for this situation. Seems to me he wanted voters confused about my ability to bring change to a regime in Jackson.

Dirty politics is not a surprise from Houtz. He called PSP the night before the election in 2013 when he did not have time to answer my questions, but answered others, with about 30 people as witnesses. I was not taken from that meeting in handcuffs, even though that seems to be an account of the meeting. I tried to re-enter the meeting to get witnesses to account for the truth. At that point, PSP threw me on a table and handcuffed me. That incident brought memories back from abuse I had suffered previously in my marriage. I was released after a conversation with the trooper.

Charges were filed, however, I inquired on a solution to the matter of how I was treated and suggested a mediator or a meeting with all parties involved. In a deal with the District Attorney's Office, I paid a $50 fine and entered a no contest plea, but only one of the three supervisors was present — Houtz. He has not allowed me to be on the agenda since that time, and his negative demeanor at meetings has been well documented.

He has admitted to cutting my time short for speaking and also bluffing to call PSP. As an elected leader, I find his behavior unacceptable, and citizens that attend meetings have said he makes the meetings very tense.

I lost the primary in May, and no one really knows how any of this affected the 16 percent of people who voted. For some, they understood the dirty politics and the change needed to make our community progressive. For some, they think I am a criminal. I am more than willing to share my Elco story. It is happening right now in another county district. It should have been a "Dateline Special."